Industry Statistics  II Focus Florida Initiative II Call to Action
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AeA Cyberstates 2008 Data:

• 282,100 high-tech workers (4^th ranked cyberstate)
• 5,700 jobs added between 2005 and 2006, ranked 8^th nationwide
• High-tech firms employed 41 of every 1,000 private sector workers in 2006, ranked 31^st nationwide
• High-tech workers earned an average wage of $64,400 (30^th ranked), or 70 percent more than Florida's average private sector wage
• A high-tech payroll of $18.2 billion in 2006, ranked 7^th nationwide
• 22,100 high-tech establishments in 2006, ranked 3^rd nationwide
• Venture capital investments of $608 million in 2007, up 91 percent from $319 million in 2006, ranked 9^th nationwide
• R&D expenditures of $5.7 billion in 2004, ranked 16^th nationwide

Florida's National Industry Sector Rankings:

• 3^rd in telecommunications services employment with 63,400 jobs

• 3^rd in engineering services employment with 59,200 jobs
• 3^rd in Internet services employment with 25,100 jobs

Source:  Cyberstates 2008

Data are for 2006 unless otherwise noted.

2006 state data are the most current available for employment, wages, payroll, establishments, and industry sector jobs.

Published by AeA, Advancing the Business of Technology (www.aeanet.org)

The Focus Florida Initiative

Background

It is often said that the fact that Florida has a robust technology industry is the best kept secret in the state. Quite sadly, it is all too true. Most people, including many in the legislature, are unaware that the industry is a driving force in Florida’s economy.

There are hundreds of meetings across the state each year where strong calls are made to diversify the State’s economy. The meeting attendees all come to a consensus agreeing that Florida cannot continue to rely solely on tourism to fuel the economy. Further they agree that Florida has to attract more high-wage companies and that Florida must improve its education system. Well intentioned plans are made – and they sit on a shelf. Organizations across Florida are filled with plans to grow the high tech sector. Rarely, if ever are those plans put into action.

One of the central problems is that the same people attend these same meetings over and over again. The message never expands beyond this core group and certainly, the core group has never expanded the message to the rest of the population in Florida.

Years ago the Florida Council branded our legislative agenda – Focus Florida. It is time to involve the general public in our effort to communicate with our legislators in Tallahassee the vital importance of Florida's technology industry to our economy and to encourage the legislature to support the growth of the industry.

Technology Industry Agenda

Focus Florida: Pass it On! is an effort to raise awareness of  the contribution of the industry in both the minds of the general public and the legislature to spur legislative action on four central fronts:

• Education (STEM)
• University R&D Funding
• Retention and growth of existing tech companies
• Access to capital

Focus Florida: Pass It On! - To Your Community

Your voice is crucial to the success of this effort.  And to help you, here are some tools.

First, you can download and print Focus Florida: Pass it On! Cybercards.  These business sized cards offer facts about the industry and our issues.  You can use these cards as talking points to start conversations about the industry's importance to Florida's economic health.

Template for Focus Florida: Pass Cards it On! Cybercards. (Cards use Avery 8271 or 8371 as template.)

• Cybercards (.doc)
• Cybercards (.pdf)

Focus Florida: Pass It On! - To Your Legislator

 It is critical that the legislature hear from you.  Legislators need to understand the value and importance of Florida's technology industry to the overall health and growth of Florida's economy.  Let your legislator know that you want their support for legislative action to:

• Improve STEM Education
• Increase University R&D Funding
• Reward the Retention and Growth of High Wage Jobs by Existing Technology Companies
• Ensure Access to Growth Capital

Send A Letter (click here to automatically send a letter to your legislator to support the Focus Florida - Pass It On! Initiative).  

Tuesday, July 22, 2008
EA Sports
Orlando, FL
View the Slideshow!

Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Florida Atlantic University's
Eleanor Baldwin House
Boca Raton, FL
View the Slideshow!

Friday, September 19, 2008
UCF Partnership II Building
Orlando, FL
View the Slideshow!
 

Jennifer Gabriel, Program Director

AeA Florida Council
12565 Research Parkway
Suite 300
Orlando, FL  32826
Phone: 407.882.2425
Fax: 407.737.2512

This page was last updated on 09/23/08.  
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